Jim Costa

Jim Costa represents Californiaâ€™s 16th Congressional District. He has served the San Joaquin Valley in the U.S. House of Representatives since January of 2005. Raised on a dairy farm in Fresnoâ€™s Kearney Park area, Congressman Costa is a third-generation family farmer. As a Member of Congress, Costa has applied his farming background to fighting for Valley water, agriculture, and the economy.

A lifelong resident of the Valley, Costaâ€™s committee assignments allow him to effectively advocate for the district. Costa uses his position on the Natural Resources Committeeto fight for the Valleyâ€™s fair share of water. This includes securing funding for dams, working to overturn unfair federal water regulations, and increasing Valley water allocations.

Agriculture

As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, and 2014 Farm Bill Conference Committee secured more than $1 billion for specialty crops in the 2014 Farm Bill
Obtained more than half a billion dollars for plant pest and disease prevention for the eradication of European Grapevine Moth, Light Brown Apple Moth and other invasive species
Secured millions through the EQIP program to help Valley farmers improve efficiencies in conservation
Included language in the 2014 Farm Bill that would allow California the opportunity to enter the Federal Milk Marketing Order. Costa has long advocated giving producers the chance to petition the U.S. Agriculture Secretary for entrance into the Federal Order
Fought to end $6 billion in taxpayer subsidies for the corn ethanol industry
Improved Williamson Act & Inheritance Tax for farm families bringing millions in tax cuts
Supported free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama to help create new markets for California agricultural products